The "Doing it cheap" scenario

[Andrew]

This seems to be the predominant factor now for both setting up and producing merchandise. Whilst I can understand that getting going initially is costly and temptation to save a few hundred is hard to resist, this seems to be the way most go. As we see on this forum, many then get bitten on the butt after and end up paying out twice but there are cheap otions out there that will tick along for a long time. The problem is when you are new to this type of process, you will learn from your mistakes if you don't do thorough research. It's the risk you take when starting out in not going with a tried and tested supplier. Second hand is always another option which can turn out good if you get a decent looked after bit of kit. If I was starting out again and was on limited budget I would probably go second hand and take my time in finding the right set-up for me. Buying a decent second hand set-up will often mean that if you want to upgrade fairly soon you can sell it for not much less than you bought it as it's initial value has dropped.

More so than the above, what I find surprising is that many now go as cheap as possible on their blanks/ ink/ paper etc. Now for me this is the complete opposite of what you should be doing. Long term it's right to try and find more cost effective ways of producing your items and making more profit but quality should be the overiding factor (unless you have found a market that doesn't care about quality). For many starting out, word of mouth will be your biggest seller. If you cut corners wherever possible then you can miss out on this key part. For many who start off on the cheap route, you possibly don't even know your product can and will be far better with the higher quality stuff. If you can create the same levle on cheap then that is great and the goal for us all but starting off on the top level is key as far as I am concerned. If you don't do this then you will never know what you should be getting out of sublimation. It's like buying a Porsche and never going above 3rd gear. You limit yourself from the start. I am not saying you should stay with the more expensive stuff right through but use it as a starting point rather than the otherway around which many seem to do. You can always test other blanks and papers after to see what compares favourably to the standard you have now set yourself and save costs where possible.

Anyway, just my take on things. Only been doing it for a few years but tested virtually every mug and paper out there along with other substrates. I only ever switch to cheaper once I am comfortable that I can achieve very similar results. That's the only way to get sustained growth in my opinion.

[Kaz]

Couldn't agree more Andrew.

[smitch6]

i agree as well Andrew
when i 1st started i got a complete set up from a cheap supplier
the equipment was good but the blanks, paper and ink i have since found out weren't.
i have invested in better quality consumables and was astounded at the difference
i thought what i was making was really nice until i got the better quality stuff then realised that actually it wasn't that good after all.
yes it may cost a bit more but over the long run it isn't that bad tbh about 5p per mug say

it may be an idea for a sticky to put certain things on about starting up and what not to buy etc